OME HD Install

[Matt]

Well, I'm going to be putting my OME on this weekend so I figured I'd start my thread off with some pics/measurements.

I'm going 100% fresh: struts/springs/mounts/seats. So unless I get bored, i won't be disassembling my OME struts; however I will be doing a side-by-side measurement when I have them out of the vehicle.









10" from bottom of strut to bottom of lowest section of spring perch:



12.5" from bottom of lowest section of spring perch to strut mount edge:





Another measurement that may come in handy (since the bottom of the strut is not a true reference point for overall length since it sticks out below the strut fork):

[Matt]

And im not screwing around with those crappy spring compressors I have.... got myself a loaner from a friend.

[07JeepXK]

I hope that spring compressor works for you with those HD springs. I took my OME HD springs and OME struts to a mechanics shop at the end of my street and almost broke there shop spring compressor. It was a HD one that is all hydralic. Those springs are stout!

[superacerc]

And im not screwing around with those crappy spring compressors I have.... got myself a loaner from a friend.

Wow those are pretty! I'm used to the crappy ones (two metal bars with holes on the end and a bolt on each side).

[Matt]

Yeah.... there was no way in hell i'd try doing it with these!

[superacerc]

Used some like that to swap springs on my saturn SC1 back in high school ( i hated that car).

[Matt]

They're OK for car springs. But when you get in to SUV and truck springs, especially HD springs like the OME's.... that's a whole different world.

[Matt]

holy crap these springs are STRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





To anyone planning on doing this install.... DONT use a cheap spring compressor!! The unit I have goes for around $500 and it was a struggle!!

[EvilJager]

Get it installed already!

[Matt]

For anyone installing new struts, this trick works great. Flip the bolt around and put a washer in there. Then snug the bolt up to "separate" the fork. This not only makes it easier to take off, it makes it as simple as it gets to get the fork on the new strut.



You guys want to know a little secret to get an extra 1/4 of lift height? Well, the hole for the strut fork bolt is greatly oversized. So you want to make sure that when you install it, you have the fork as low as possible on the strut; increasing the overall length of the assembly.